Pluto map toys and fun stuff

The image to the left is a thumbnail of the new color map. This map
has a black stripe at the bottom because that area was hidden from view
at the time the map was made. It is also in the orientation and format
of the maps I use in my own software. In particular, Pluto's north pole
is up in this image where I use a north pole definition based on the
positive spin pole. Also, the map use east longitude increasing from
left to right. I've been using this coordinate system to map Pluto for
30 years.

This image is the same as above except for a couple
of cosmetic changes. First, I've filled in the missing region with
something plausible for the surface albedo at the south pole. Second,
the orientation of the image has been altered to match the convention
used by the program xplanet.
This program uses a coordinate system similar to that proposed by the
IAU which defines "north" to be that pole north of the Earth's equator.
In the case of Pluto my (spin-defined) north pole is the IAU's (and
xplanet's) south pole. Also, xplanet uses west longitude which flips
the image from left to right. Finally, xplanet puts the zero degree
reference longitude in the center of the image. Clicking on on the
image will retrive a 720x400 pixel image version of the map that that
you can use in xplanet to create a spinning globe of Pluto.

In this image I have taken my new albedo map and
merged it with surface maps of Callisto and Rhea to simulate geologic
features and texture on the surface. This image is 1800x900 pixels
and is also in xplanet format. An interesting thing I see here is
that by adding texture it seems to eliminate the optical illusion of
the bluish regions. This map will let you create visually interesting
renditions of Pluto but the accuracy of such renderings is low. I can do
a much better job of this but it requires specialized software. Still,
this is a fun toy and I've enjoyed fiddling around with it. Just don't
forget that this map is my artistic interpretation of Pluto's surface.
We have not really imaged any craters on the surface. That will have
to wait for the New Horizons flyby in 2015.

Xplanet does such a nice job with Pluto that it
seemed a shame to not have something pretty for it's largest moon,
Charon as well. The image to the left is another artistic rendering of
Charon also blending other planetary satellite surfaces for texture while
including the sense of the data I have on Charon. There are some very
subtle albedo features included in this art map that are close to reality.
First, there is a slight (8%) variation in brightness as Charon rotates.
That has been included in the map, though it's very hard to see. Also,
my data indicate there may be a very slight bluing of Charon's poles
and I've included this as well. You have to look very carefully to see
this but it's there. I have also included in the map the approximate
average albedo relative to Pluto as well as its color (grey). When seen
together the contrast is really striking between Pluto and Charon.

These maps and images are freely available as long as you credit
the source. Any web pages, publications, or any other published use
of these maps should provide a legible credit line consistent with the
medium that states: "Images are courtesy of Marc W. Buie, Southwest
Research Institute".